Whispering Winds Animal Sanctuary

09/03/2025

I'm so excited. The attached video says it all. We haven't had a real barn in 20 years, since we left Sandy OR. We've made due with this one. But, the tornado, even though it was only a EF2, did a lot of damage to our property. The old barn lost some metal and some lifted, as well as almost taking off our back sliding door. All the barns have some kind of damage, but the main barn is the worst. So, it's being rebuilt and will have insulated, closed in feed room with a walk thru into the tack and supply room. There's 4 stalls now. Stall fronts have been ordered. 3 of the stall will open to the outside so we can keep doors closed now, especially during storms. No more leaky roofs or flooded aisle. When we're done with this one we're going to repair and enclose the one to the west that Apache uses. Some of the welding broke loose in that one and the wall isn't secure. It will be nice to have a warm, dry place for all the Seniors and Blinds, and donkey docks. The mustangs have 2 run ins and the 3 oversized stalls on the north end, so they're good.

09/03/2025

08/23/2025

It can't be all work and no play, especially on these hot days. So, we brought Loki (our blind mustang mare) out to enjoy her favorite thing in the whole world. George thought about joining her but decided to just cheer her on with the rest if the group that came to watch. Peanut kept his distance to just enjoy the coolness, but Gus, the mud dog, couldn't resist. Only problem is Loki is getting a little more independent being out here and decided to head back to her field by herself when she was done. We try to keep her protected from the majority when they're in a group so it was a quick jog to catch up to her and come back in.

08/23/2025

Our main barn was declared pretty much totaled. So, we've finally gotten bid in and are excited about getting a new barn for the babies. While we've been waiting, I've been cleaning up all the debris from the tornado, digging all the weeds up, and preparing everything. We still have to take down the block walls since the shelter was destroyed, but everything else is done in this area. Tom moved our storage trailer and my horse trailer just outside the arena to get them out of the way...after 10 years!! I have a bunch of gourd and weeds to clean out along the fences at the East stalls tomorrow. Some of the walls have to be replaced, and we're going to enclose it some for Apache (our blind guy). Feels good to get this done after that mess from the tornado. I even found all the implements and lined them up

08/23/2025

Everyone loves Apache. I heard squealing today and found he and Brian playing. I had to hide to video them, but didn't last long until Brian saw me. Brian is so good with him, and Apache loves to play. Blind or not, he's definitely part of the group.

08/19/2025

This one is dedicated to all those who fight the drugs and alcohol demons

08/19/2025

Original version

08/19/2025

I never thought I'd be remixing, pulling stems, rewriting lines, and creating songs. This was Steve's thing. But, as I was uploading info thinking about my crazy life, where I've been, and what the following years may bring in hopes to write an encouragement book, the songs just came. I wish I had "that voice" to sing them, too, but thank goodness for AI and the ability to say what I want and have it happen. I've written 2 songs, but remixed one because I startled my brother when he thought my voice got even deeper 😁 I've uploaded everything to my YouTube channel so I can share more easily. It's taken so long because I had to get the copyright stuff in place. If you know anyone who would be interested in taking these further, mama's horses gotta eat!! I hope to have the book next year. You know me, always doing something.
Let me know what you think

08/10/2025

Ok, be honest. How many of you have climbed into the horse's water tank? Another 105 day but got a lot done and figured out how to stay cool 😁

The tornado damaged or destroyed quite a few buildings along with the trees. So, guess what?!?!! We're getting a new main barn. I'm so excited. So, I've been cleaning the pastures and focused around the barn. The weeds were so overgrown, and the remnants of several mesquite trees strewn everywhere. It's looking so good. Once I have all the weeds gone I'll use the rake and drag all the areas so we can throw down pasture grass in September. But, it's been between 102 and 105 for the past few days. I have been soaking my head when I got hot, except today. I decided the water trough would be perfect, and convenient 😁

08/05/2025

Apache is our big blind guy. Most of the time he's out grazing with the domestics in THEIR field. But, on days I turn some of them out, he's alone. Today he heard me working on their pasture pulling weeds. He followed me around and kept doing this. I had brought carrots out with me for he and May, which made him super happy. I finally had to completely stop and just love on him. Then, he went over to the hay, ate some, and laid down and took a nap. But, when he was up he'd come find me. Didn't get as much done as I wanted. He flipped my cart, dumped my water, and kept pulling stuff off the tractor. I love him so much despite his antics.

08/03/2025

I turn most of the domestics out during the day so they can stretch, explore, and play in the mud 🤣 Most of the mustangs swim but Gus loves to just lie down and then get up. No rolling, no swimming. I offered to give him a bath but he said the mud was good for his complexion. That look on his face... he'll eventually roll in the grass, rub it off, and don't again. 🥰